Elliptical Ogee

Elliptical Ogee

A swooping S-shaped ogee dominates this profile. Elliptical shapes such as this, derived from classical Greek architecture, dominate American trim work from the Greek Revival period (circa 1820s) onward.

3×

Angles and Ogees

Angles and Ogees

Ovolos

Ovolos

This piece of crown features a bulbous bullnose called an ovolo at its bottom and another at the top. A protrusion nearly perpendicular to the wall and ceiling creates a sharp divide when lit from beneath.

Quirk Beads

Quirk Beads

The two beads along the edges of this profile stop at a sharp dip before their transition to the constant curve of the cove. The dip and the ellipse, called a quirk bead, adds a touch of ornament to an otherwise straightforward profile.

Quirk Ogee

Quirk Ogee

Above this cove sits a pattern called a quirk ogee. With roots in classic Greek and Roman architecture, the quirk ogee's double curve and sharp stop are equally appropriate for a chair rail, window casing, or on crown molding, as seen here.

13×

Slim Accent

Slim Accent

This strip, barely over an inch wide, can easily combine with other profiles to assemble an intricate cornice. Narrow pieces like this work well in tight overhead corners, such as above kitchen cabinets.

Combination Piece

Combination Piece

This cove molding includes a small reverse ogee—convex below, concave above—at the top. Though the thick sample is a single milled piece, pre-industrial carpenters would likely have joined these separate profiles as part of a built-up profile.

17×

Shallow Cove

Shallow Cove

This simple convex curve protrudes from the wall at its bottom, which means alone it would create a dramatic shadow, or, combined with more molding pieces below, become part of a larger and more ornate assembly.

Elliptical Ogee

A swooping S-shaped ogee dominates this profile. Elliptical shapes such as this, derived from classical Greek architecture, dominate American trim work from the Greek Revival period (circa 1820s) onward.

Angles and Ogees

Ovolos

This piece of crown features a bulbous bullnose called an ovolo at its bottom and another at the top. A protrusion nearly perpendicular to the wall and ceiling creates a sharp divide when lit from beneath.

Quirk Beads

The two beads along the edges of this profile stop at a sharp dip before their transition to the constant curve of the cove. The dip and the ellipse, called a quirk bead, adds a touch of ornament to an otherwise straightforward profile.

Quirk Ogee

Above this cove sits a pattern called a quirk ogee. With roots in classic Greek and Roman architecture, the quirk ogee's double curve and sharp stop are equally appropriate for a chair rail, window casing, or on crown molding, as seen here.

Slim Accent

This strip, barely over an inch wide, can easily combine with other profiles to assemble an intricate cornice. Narrow pieces like this work well in tight overhead corners, such as above kitchen cabinets.

Combination Piece

This cove molding includes a small reverse ogee—convex below, concave above—at the top. Though the thick sample is a single milled piece, pre-industrial carpenters would likely have joined these separate profiles as part of a built-up profile.

Shallow Cove

This simple convex curve protrudes from the wall at its bottom, which means alone it would create a dramatic shadow, or, combined with more molding pieces below, become part of a larger and more ornate assembly.